submitted by dames@augsburg.edu
Campus Ministry welcomes Imam Sharif Mohamed as the University Muslim Chaplain.
Sharif Mohamed holds Ijaza (authority) in Theology, Qur’an and Sunnah, Jurisprudence, History, and Spiritual Devotions, earned under the guidance of renowned scholars. In addition to his religious leadership, he has over 20 years of experience in family and marriage counseling, applying Islamic principles to address mental health, family and youth well-being, and public health challenges within East African immigrant communities.
He is the cofounder and current Imam of the Islamic Civic Society of America/Dar Al-Hijrah Mosque, the first mosque established to serve Minnesota’s East African and Muslim community. For more than 40 years, Imam Sharif has served as an Islamic scholar, preacher, and civic leader globally —earning recognition for promoting human dignity and interfaith collaboration.
In 2015, he became Minnesota’s first Imam to serve as a hospital chaplain. He received the prestigious Hubert H. Humphrey Public Leadership Award from the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs. Since then, he has trained and mentored numerous Muslim faith leaders—both men and women—who now serve in chaplaincy roles within healthcare systems.
Imam Sharif’s work bridges religious leadership, policy advocacy, and health equity research. He is recognized worldwide as a trusted and respected voice in both Muslim and civic communities.
Imam Sharif will be speaking in Hoversten Chapel on Tuesday, September 23 at 11:50 am. Please stop by to meet him and learn more about his work on campus.